Experience downtown St. Augustine like a native in our charmingly updated Blue Bell Cottage, just 2 blocks from the Matanzas River in a quiet neighborhood. Completely updated inside, it's the perfect getaway with vintage appeal and modern convenience!

Blue Bell Cottage looks quite small from the front, but is surprisingly roomy within. A back porch with a jaunty rope railing extends the space into the fenced backyard, which boasts outdoor seating for a courtyard effect. After a busy day sightseeing in the city, you will love coming home to this intimate, delightful place!

Step into the living room and you are greeted by high ceilings, beautiful décor, and ultra-comfortable furniture that seems to invite long conversations. The old fireplace runs up the center of the house, simply decorative now but still boasting its ancient bricks. Long windows, from the days before air conditioning (don't worry; Blue Bell Cottage has central air!), ensure panoramic views from all directions. The "bones" of this splendid old cottage remain as lovely as ever, while a TV with VCR and DVD player are on hand to offer modern entertainment.

On the far side of the fireplace is a lovely dining room with a small round table set for 4. You will never feel cramped at Blue Bell Cottage, because the furnishings are in proportion to the size of the rooms. Here you have a spacious area, light and open, with a modern chandelier and the perfect table for games as well as meals. You have free wireless Internet at Blue Bell Cottage too, so this may be the place you set up the laptop to check opening times of the attractions you want to visit and to update your Facebook status.

The kitchen is nothing short of enchanting, with all new appliances that manage to look vintage, a cheery checkerboard floor, bistro table, old-fashioned-looking worktable with an inset double sink, and a chalkboard for leaving messages. Everything you need to cook and serve meals can be found in these cupboards and drawers, so if you like, stock up at the nearby grocery and do some home cooking. If not, the microwave is great for heating up the takeout, there's ice in the freezer for frosty beverages, and the coffeemaker will get you going in the morning!

Both bedrooms at Blue Bell Cottage are so comfortable and attractive that you'll have trouble choosing between them! The "master" bedroom has a queen-size bed, piled high like beds of old for maximum comfort, with a reading chair, his-and-her lamps, cheery rag rugs on the hardwood floor, and big windows on two walls.

The second bedroom has a double bed in an even larger room, with a double door leading out to the courtyard and an en suite full bathroom. This room can be drenched in sunlight or shaded tight, depending on your desire, and offers plenty of storage and sitting space. Such a homey room, certain to induce sweet dreams!

A half-bathroom, a lovely little foyer, and a utility area with washer and dryer plus a second sink (handy for wet swimsuits!) completes Blue Bell Cottage. It's the perfect nest for a family, two couples, or group of friends visiting the city. We've provided all the linens, towels, blankets, and pillows you'll need, so you can pack light. And at Blue Bell, you're just 2 blocks from the trolley stop -- right in the heart of the action without the tourists, crowds, or traffic!

Blue Bell Cottage is just a stroll away from the Castillo de San Marco Fort, Ripley's Believe it or Not, and other attractions in historic downtown St. Augustine. It is a home maintained with love and delightful attention to detail, such as the pretty stained glass window overlooking the back porch and the colorful quilts on the beds. Come stay here on your next visit to St. Augustine, and see the city from one of its most charming neighborhoods. We predict you'll soon be recommending Blue Bell Cottage to all your friends!